Is Joe Finley the next whipping boy?

Fighting Sioux senior to be Joe Finley has consistently been the Sioux's +/- (plus minus) leader his three seasons at UND, however, much like his former team mate Brian Lee, Finley has gotten the ire of a good number of Sioux fans. Why? I don't know why? Heck Brian Lee was so bad that he ended up playing for the Ottawa Senators in the Stanley Cup playoffs. I guess that is why we are fans and not general managers.

This is merely speculation but I suppose maybe big Joe just isn't tough enough for some Sioux fans. It is possible that Joe just doesn't score enough goals or isn't a fast enough skater. I guess Joe isn't going to be able to satisfy a fair number of Fighting Sioux hockey fans, no matter what he does on the ice. So Goon's World is going to hand out some leafy spurge to the Sioux fans that don't appreciate Joe Finley, the Sioux will be better with Joe Finley in the line up.

I personally am happy as hell that Big Joe is coming back to the Fighting Sioux for one more season, it is not every day that a player plays four years for their college team when they are a high end draft choice, but hey I will take it. Contrary to what some of the hockey geniuses say UND is a better team with big Joe. SJHovey sums it up best on USCHO.COM so mascots beware big Joe is coming back for his senior season.

Any UND fan who is not overjoyed with having Joe return is a fool, imho. You don't lead the team in +/- without playing extremely good defense. Even if he's not constantly punching someone's lights out, i.e. Commordore or Greene, just having someone of that size out there can be intimidating and important. I believe that Joe's play is directly responsible for the outstanding play we saw out of Genoway last year.

I also firmly believe that Chay's late season injury affected him more than we thought in the playoffs. After his return neither his puckhandling nor shot was as effective as before the injury and lead to some problems for that defensive pairing.

The two of them will be the best defensive tandem in the WCHA this coming season, bar none.

Rewind to last spring; in retrospect the season ending debacle in Denver was painful to watch as Fighting Sioux fans, however, teams don't lose 6-1 because of one player. Teams lose 6-1 because they lost as a team; colectively as a group the Fighting Sioux did not play well and lost. So because the team did not play very that day and you can not single out one player to blame on the lost, the Fighting Sioux all played bad. Lets just hope that bad taste still lingers in their mouths.

Go Fighting Sioux...

Wild sign Owen Nolan

When I read that the Wild had signed had signed 36 year old Owen Nolan to a 2 year contract worth 5.5 Million. I have to admit that I was torn because in his hay day Nolan was one heck of a hockey player; now Nolan is much older that has a 1000+ NHL games under his belt and looks more like a guy that should be looking for his AARP card than a player looking forward to playing another 2 seasons with the Minnesota Wild. The up side of Owen Nolan is no matter how old he is he will add grit to the Wild soft Euro dominated line up, especialy after my favorite NHL GM let all of his tougher roll players leave during this off season...

I don't know if this is a smart deal or not and only time will tell. Check out some of the comments from the fans they like me are less than impress with the Wild GM Doug Risebrough's more this off season. I think a couple of these fans really nail less than impressed with the situation and that is how I feel about his whole situation.

Risebrough's humor...
the only thing worse than DR and his off season moves is the gullible sporting public that might get fooled into thinking that things look bright for 08-09. We are on our way down next season. Do any of us honestly think that the team of 18,000will remain much longer? The economy is in a shambles, corporate sales will be down, and the common guy can't afford the tix or the gas down to the Ex'. Team of 10,000 is more like it; especially when we don't make the playoffs.

This guy also hits it on the head. Who's is going to score goals this season?

Still not impressed...
Who is going to win faceoffs??? Who is going to score??? Anything other than a Western Conference Finals appearence is a bad season in my opinion. This roster will be lucky to make it past the 1st round of the playoffs...(AGAIN!!!) DR is a solid GM to get a bottom progam to respectability. But he is not the guy to get us to the highest level. Can someone in Wild management please start thinking creatively???

Happy fourth of July for Goon's World.

Happy Fourth of July from Goon's World. Also, I would like to salute the American soldiers serving in harms way. God Bless America.

Cross posted at Goon's North Dakota Red Neck

Brian Lee turning heads in Ottawa

It appears that Brian Lee is making quite the impression at his second team's development camp. With the Senators losing Wade Redden to free agency expect former Fighting Sioux defenseman Brian Lee to play a bigger part with Otwawa Senators next season. I have to admit that I am very excited for Brian Lee, when Brian was here with the fighting Sioux Lee had a lot of doubters and people that focused on every mistake the kid made. When he left for the NHL there were all kinds of rude comments about Lee. It is nice to see one of our former players doing well. I guess Lee could ask the naysayers, "how do you like me now?"

Blueliner's stock rises as Senators get ready for life without stalwart Redden
By DON BRENNAN
For how long depends on the wooing abilities of GM Bryan Murray, but the Senators will have a couple of holes in their top four blue-line corps as of noon tomorrow.

At 12:01 p.m., Brian Lee will officially move into one of those slots on the depth chart -- and will stay there until Murray lands a better defenceman and signs restricted free agent Andrej Meszaros.

From looking like the neighbourhood paperboy when Ottawa made him its first pick (ninth overall) of the 2005 NHL draft -- and even a little too beanpole-lish upon his elevation from Binghamton for the Senators' final six games and playoffs last season -- Lee has carried a large and looming presence among the prospects during the team's development camp.

Off the ice, with the tan and long blond hair, he'll offer an appealing contrast to the team's female followers who are already missing Wade Redden, a stalwart the Senators hope Lee can help replace.

"I think I play a little bit like Wade," Lee said when asked what style and contribution he'll ultimately bring to the table. "Good first pass, solid defensively. I hope someday to be as smooth playing offence as he is, as smart offensively as he is."

Make no mistake, at just 21 and with only one season of pro hockey under his belt, the 6-foot-3 University of North Dakota product shouldn't immediately be expected to make anybody forget about Redden. And he knows it.

"I think there's a great D-corps here and I think all the guys will help kind of fill that void, because Wade is such a great player," said Lee, who had three goals and 25 points in 55 games with the Baby Sens. "I'm sure (management) will try and get somebody new, who will be a great player as well.
<-Read the rest of the story here->

Goehring to the Moose

Sioux fans will be able to watch former Sioux goaltender Karl Goehring play for the Manitoba Moose of the American hockey league. The Moose play about 145 miles away from Grand Forks, ND in Winnipeg MB, I suppose Sioux7 and I are going to have to make the trek up to see him play for the Moose, if the price of gas doesn't get too far out of wack. Karl was one of the best goalies to ever play for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux posting 15 shutouts in a 118 games for the Fighting Sioux hockey team.

Moose sign Karl Goehring

Manitoba Moose Press Release

The Manitoba Moose, the AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, announced they have signed goaltender Karl Goehring to an American Hockey League contract.

Goehring, 29, appeared in 26 games last season with the Syracuse Crunch where he posted a 2.12 goals against average, a .930 save percentage, with a 15-8-2 record as well two shutouts. The Apple Valley, MN native was named the AHL’s Goaltender of the Month for March after going 7-0-1 in eight games with a 1.59 goals against average and .951 save percentage. During that period, he was named the AHL’s Player of the Week for the week ending March 2/08. In the post-season, Goehring helped the Crunch eliminate the Moose in six games, and posted a 7-6 record throughout the playoffs with a 2.39 goals against average and a .922 save percentage.

Goehring has played in 247 AHL games in his seven-year career with Syracuse, San Antonio, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and Norfolk. He has a career goals against average of 2.66 with a save percentage of .913 and an overall record of 104-103-20. However, he is currently the all-time leader amongst Crunch goalies in games played (174), wins (78), and second in shutouts (10). He was selected to the 2003 AHL All-Star Classic in Portland where as a member of the PlanetUSA All-Stars, he tied for the top goalie award in the skills competition.

Goehring was also a member of the NCAA Champion North Dakota Fighting Sioux in 2000 where he was named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team as well as a first team All-American.

Landon Wilson to play for Dallas Stars.

I just came across this story over on hockeyfights.com, apparently former Fighting Sioux hockey player Landon Wilson is going to get one more chance to play in the NHL as the Dallas Stars have signed him to a two way contract.

Stars sign four minor-leaguers, including Landon Wilson
11:48 AM Thu, Jul 03, 2008
Mike Heika
The Stars signed four minor leaguers today, including Landon Wilson. The son of Stars associate coach Rick Wilson, Landon, 33, left the game because of a serious eye injury. He has been playing in Europe the last four seasons, and co-GM Les Jackson said they are bringing him as a potential NHL player and a guy they would like to keep in the organization for a while. He will probably be a Mike Keane type in Austin for a few years and then try to work his way into coaching.

Wilson, 33, has played the last four seasons in Europe, including the 2006-07 and 2007-08 campaigns with HC Lugano in the Swiss Elite League. In 30 games with Lugano last season, Wilson collected 20 points (13 goals, 7 assists) and 67 penalty minutes, and the previous season, he notched 31 points (20 goals, 11 assists) and 67 PIM.

Landon Wilson's NHL numbers: he has played in 348 games scoring 51 goals, and adding 60 assists for a career points total: 111 points. Landon Wilson has also spent 331 minutes in the sin bin.

Links to the Story:
Hockey News

Brad's Blog

NHL.COM story

Hale storm in the desert

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman David Hale has signed a two year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes. Hale is a stay at home defenseman that will add toughness to the Coyotes line up that is not afraid to stand up for a team mate.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have signed defenseman David Hale to a two-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hale, 27, recorded two assists and 46 penalty minutes (PIM) in 58 regular season games with the Calgary Flames last season. He also appeared six playoff games for Calgary.

The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Hale began the 2006-07 season with New Jersey and appeared in 43 games for the Devils before being traded to Calgary on Feb. 27, 2007. Following the trade, he played in 11 regular season games and two playoff contests for Calgary.

In 215 career NHL games with New Jersey and Calgary, Hale has recorded 11 assists, 175 PIM and a plus-17 rating. The Colorado Springs, Colorado native has also collected two assists and 20 PIM in 17 career playoff games.

Hale was originally drafted by New Jersey in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2000 Entry Draft. He played three seasons of collegiate hockey at the University of North Dakota where he registered 10-16-26 and 191 PIM in 104 games. He was named a Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Third Team All-Star following his junior year and played in the 2001 NCAA National Championship Game as a freshman.

Wyatt Smith Struck by Lightning.

Former Minnesota Gopher and Minnesota Wild player Wyatt Smith is on his way to the Tampa Bay lighting. During the past week the Tampa Bay lightning have been very active on the free agent market. Earlier this week the Bolts signed former SCSU star Ryan Malone to a nice contract.

Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Lightning signed free agent center Wyatt Smith to a one-year, two-way contract on Thursday.

The 31-year-old Smith split his time between the Avalanche and Lake Erie of the American Hockey League last season. He had three assists in 25 games with Colorado, and appeared in one playoff game for the club.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder has scored 10 goals and tallied 22 assists in 221 career NHL games with Colorado, the Minnesota Wild, New York Islanders, Nashville Predators and Phoenix Coyotes.

The Minnesota product was originally drafted

Ex-Fighting Sioux star Taylor Chorney signs 3 year deal

Here is the official announcement from the Edmonton Oilers home page. Goon's World would like to wish Taylor good luck at the next level and make us proud. While I hate to see players leave early for the professional ranks, Chorney like T.J. Oshie had accomplished all they could at the college level and it is time to move on to the next level.

Edmonton Oilers Press Release Jul 3, 2008, 2:00 PM EDT Chorney Kevin Prendergast, the Edmonton Oilers Vice President of Hockey Operations, announced today that the team has signed defenceman Taylor Chorney to a three-year entry level contract.

“Taylor brings a mature leadership quality to our organization,” stated Prendergast. “His past success in college and on the world stage will certainly be a benefit to him in the next step of his career.”

Chorney, the Oilers’ second choice (36th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, completed his third season of collegiate hockey with the University of North Dakota in 2007-08. In 43 games with the Fighting Sioux, the 6’0”, 196 pound native of Hastings, Minnesota finished sixth in team scoring with 24 points, netting three goals and 21 assists in 43 games.

A two-time Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) all-star, the 21-year-old defenceman was named to the conference’s first all-star team and helped lead North Dakota to the NCAA Frozen Four tournament this season. Chorney was named to the American Hockey Coaches Association second team west All-American team in 2006-07 after scoring 8-23-31 with 48 penalty minutes in 39 games.

During his three seasons with the Fighting Sioux, Chorney scored 14-59-73 with 126 penalty minutes in 126 games.

Not only was he a standout talent with North Dakota, Chorney also was a key member with Team USA on the international stage. He played for the United States at the 2006 and 2007 IIHF World Junior Championships and captained the 2007 team to a bronze medal with a 2-1 victory over Sweden. Chorney was also chosen as captain of the United States Under-17 and Under-18 national teams.

Chorney, who skated at the Oilers Development Camp in June, will return to Edmonton in September for the team’s training camp.


SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PM
2005-06 U of North Dakota WCHA 44 3 15 18 54
2006-07 U of North Dakota WCHA 39 8 23 31 48
2007-08 U of North Dakota WCHA 43 3 21 24 24
COLLEGIATE TOTALS 126 14 59 73 126

The Hockey committee proposes changes

After all the complaining about the Wisconsin Badgers getting into the national tourney last spring with a sub .500 record, you could just about predict this rule change was coming down the pike.

Personally, I thought it was kind of weak that the Badgers made the tourney with a sub .500 record but after the Badgers made the tourney based on the selection criteria the NCAA had set forth, I wasn't as upset about them making the tourney. Add to the equation that the Badgers beat the Pioneers and almost beat the Sioux for the regional championship made it appeared in at least my opinion that the Badgers deserved to participate in their own regional.

Hockey committee changes selection criteria
July 01, 2008
The Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee is recommending that teams must compile a record of .500 or above in the regular season to be considered for championship selection.

The change reflects policy in other Division I sports, such as men’s and women’s soccer, softball and women’s volleyball. The ice hockey committee endorsed the change at its annual meeting last month after a general discussion about last year’s championship, in which a team with a sub-.500 record was selected for an at-large bid. After garnering feedback from the coaches association and conference offices, the committee decided that requiring a .500 record for selection would be best for the sport and the future of the championship.

The change will go before the Division I Championships/Sport Management Cabinet for a final decision in September.

The committee also recommended to the cabinet that all six hockey conferences – College Hockey America, Atlantic Hockey, ECAC Hockey, Hockey East Association, Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association – receive automatic bids to the championship. College Hockey America does not meet standards for an automatic bid, since it falls below minimum sports-sponsorship requirements with four teams, but the committee decided that for the good of the sport and the championship, it would continue to provide automatic qualification to the winner of College Hockey America’s postseason tournament. The decision will be reviewed by the cabinet in the fall.

In other discussions, the committee:

•Will recommend Midwest and West regional sites for 2010 and 2011 to the Championships/Sport Management Cabinet this summer.

•Selected game times for the 2009 Frozen Four. Semifinal games will be at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Eastern time, April 9. The championship game is at 7 p.m. Eastern time, April 11.

•Decided timeouts at the championship will be two minutes from whistle to puck drop.

•Selected Steve Cady, senior associate athletics director at Miami (Ohio), as committee chair.

Redwings pick up Marian Hossa

Crap; if the Redwings were already great they just got a lot better by signing free agent gem Marian Hossa. Hossa just signed a deal to go play in Detroit Rock City. Marian Hossa was one of the most sought after free agents stars during this off season free agency sweepstakes.

DETROIT – The Red Wings’ inability to get secondary scoring last season was constantly scrutinized in the media.

That issue was put to rest Wednesday – the second day of free agency – when the Red Wings signed superstar right wing Marian Hossa to a one-year contract.

Hossa, 29, helped the Pittsburgh Penguins reach the 2008 Stanley Cup finals, where they lost to the Red Wings in six games.

In 10 NHL seasons, Hossa has scored 299 goals and 349 assists with a plus-85 rating.

It’s believed that the Edmonton Oilers were also suitors in the Hossa sweepstakes, with a reported offer of as much as $9 million for the Czechoslovakian star.

The Penguins acquired Hossa and Pascal Dupuis at the February trade deadline from Atlanta for three young stars -- Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen and Angelo Esposito, and a 2008 first-round pick (Dalton Leveille).

Dupuis signed a three-year contract worth more than $4 million to stay in Pittsburgh.

Eric Smith on Mike Commodore

Here is an interesting comment I found on Former Sioux Mike Commodore from Blue Jackets hockey blogger Eric Smith and what Commodores sighing means to the Columbus Blue Jackets. I guess Smith hasn't seen Commodore play much or isn't aware of the presence he brings to the ice.

Later in the day, Howson got another player to pull the trigger in one Mike Commodore. The 5 year, 18.75 million dollar contract obviously helped Mr. Commodore with his decision. Did the Jackets over pay for Commodore? Probably but this is expected as we currently only have cash and hope to help lure free agents. Commodore fills another need that the Jackets had identified in needing at least 2 blueliners. The 6'5", 230 pounder won't bring offense to the backend but he will bring his physical presence that fills the hole that was left with the departure of Adam Foote. At 28 years old, we should be getting the best 5 years of Commodores career but we will have to wait and see on that.

First off your going to love having Commodore on your hockey team, by having Commodore on their team the Blue Jackets just got a lot tougher. You also got to love the red mass of hair.

Anaheim Ducks sign Gophers defenseman Stu Bickel

Watch the youtube video: This is the reason why many Sioux fans like myself will not miss Stu Bickel, the kid in my opinion is a blatant hack. Watch the butt end by Stu Bickel on the small Sioux forward Brad Miller, that is a dirty bush league move that should have warranted a match penatly.

So don't expect any of us to shed a tear for the former Gopher player. Good bye and good riddance.

Stu Bickel, a 21-year-old defenseman who became a fixture on the University of Minnesota roster as a freshman last season, signed a three-year free-agent pro contract with the NHL's Anaheim Ducks today and will be leaving the Gophers.

Bickel, a converted forward, is a 6-foot-3, 210-pounder from Chanhassen who had one goal and six assists in 45 games for Minnesota.

Undrafted by any NHL team, Bickel said the Ducks came after him with an offer that "was hard to turn down."

"He had a great year for us," Gophers coach Don Lucia said. "We're going to miss him."

Early departures in the WCHA

Minnesota (3)
G Jeff Frazee, junior
F Blake Wheeler, junior
D Stu Bickel, freshman

North Dakota (2)
F T.J. Oshie, junior
D Taylor Chorney, junior

Wisconsin (1)
F Kyle Turris, freshman

MSU-Mankato (1)
F Jon Kalinski, junior

Michigan Tech (1)
G Michael-Lee Teslak, junior

Minnesota-Duluth (1)
D Jason Garrison, junior

St. Cloud State (1)
F Andreas Nodl, sophomore

Denver (1)
D Chris Butler, junior

Blues match Vancouver's offer on David Backes

The St Louis Blues have matched Vacouvers offer sheet so I guess T.J. Oshie will get a chance to play with former Minnesota State University Mankato Maverick David Backes after all. However, it is a sad shame that Keith Ballard was traded away from the Yotes and is now playing in the east with the Florida Panthers so we won't get to see as many dances between Backes and Ballard.

VANCOUVER - The St. Louis Blues retained forward David Backes on Tuesday by quickly matching the US$7.5-million, three-year offer sheet the young forward signed with the Vancouver Canucks.

The Canucks tried to pluck the 24-year-old winger away from the Blues just hours after he became a restricted free agent. The Blues had seven days to match the offer or let him go for a compensatory second-round pick, but wasted little time in deciding to keep Backes.

"(Chairman and Principle Owner) Dave Checketts was very supportive of this decision to sign David," Blues president John Davidson said in a statement. "David is a major part of our youth movement in St. Louis and we expect him to play a huge role as we move forward."

Backes spent parts of the past two seasons with the Blues, who selected him in the second round of the 2003 draft. He set career highs with 13 goals and 31 points in 72games last season, while also leading the team with 240 hits. His new contract includes a $1-million signing bonus along with $1.5 million in salary this coming season. He'll earn $2.5 million each of the following two years.

Offer sheets took centre stage last summer after Edmonton lured Dustin Penner away from Anaheim and touched off an exchange of heated words between Ducks general manager Brian Burke and Oilers counterpart Kevin Lowe.

Edmonton also signed Thomas Vanek to an offer sheet last year that Buffalo matched.

The Canucks agreed to terms Tuesday with forward Darcy Hordichuk on a two-year contract. The physical 27-year-old winger had one goal, three points and 60 penalty minutes in 45 games with the Nashville Predators last season

Rolston signs with the NJ Devils

This is the free agent deal that really chaps my ass. Lets just say that I am not happy camper today; and I am sure there are other Wild fans that aren't very happy with the Wild management for letting Brian Rolston go.

All spring long we have heard how Brian Rolston isn't worth the money he was asking, apparently General Manager Lou Lamoriello (a better hockey mind that Risebrough) thinks that that Brian Rolston is worth 5 million dollars a year and isn't too much for a player that has one of the hardest slap shots in hockey. Look at the numbers folks; in three years in Minnesota Brain Rolston scored 96 goals assisted on 106 goals for 202 points in 241 games. Very few Wild players can say that during the last three season they have scored 202 points, Marian Gaborik has only scored 206. Lets just say that I am not a happy camper today. So now the Wild line up is short 30+ goals next season; I ask Doug Risebrough who is going to pick up the slack? Sure isn't going to be Pierre-Marc Bouchard who is a soft perimeter player that WON'T go into the dirty areas to score a goal.

Seriously Doug Risebrough; there is no reason Rolston shouldn't be a Minnesota Wild. everyone in the Wild's Division got better this off season and the Wild are going to be hard pressed to repeat as division champs this season. It will be interesting to see what the stumbling bumbling general manager

TSN.CA STAFF -- The New Jersey Devils have signed free agent forward Brian Rolston to a four-year, $20 million contract.

The 34-year-old native of Flint, Mich., scored 31 goals and collected 59 points in 81 games with the Minnesota Wild last season.

Rolston, who played three seasons with the Wild, was picked 11th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. He was a member of the 1995 Stanley Cup champion New Jersey team coached by current Wild head coach Jacques Lemaire, and signed with the Wild in 2004 after four seasons between Colorado and Boston.

The six-foot-two, 210-pound right-winger has 286 goals and 348 assists in 977 career NHL games with the Wild, Devils, Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins.

Former Sioux Mike Commodore headed to Columbus

Mike Commodore is the next former Fighting Sioux hockey player to join the multi millionare club as he signed a fat contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

TSN.CA STAFF -- The Columbus Blue Jackets have taken a big step to adding some experience of the blueline.

Columbus has agreed to a 5-year, $18.75 million contract with defencemen Mike Commodore.

The native of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta was acquired by the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline from Carolina for Joe Corvo and Patrick Eaves in order to add some playoff experience.

Commodore played 67 games in 2007-08 and scored three goals and added 11 assists.

2nd most exciting time of the year...

It has been a crazy day for signings on the free agent market. There have been quite a few former college hockey players moving around and signing free agent deals. First off; former Miami star and power forward Ryan Jones will not get a chance to play for the Minnesota Wild, big shock here. I think this might come back to haunt the Wild.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Marek Zidlicky is on the move.

The Minnesota Wild acquired the 31-year-old defenceman from the Nashville Predators on Tuesday for prospect Ryan Jones and a second-round draft pick.

Zidlicky had spent his entire NHL career with the Predators.

The former Czech Olympian had five goals and 43 points in 79 games with the Preds last season.

Jones was a fifth-round pick in 2004 by Minnesota. He was the leading scorer for Miami University of Ohio last season before signing a pro contract and playing four playoff games with Houston of the American Hockey League.

"Ryan Jones is a big and powerful young forward that adds size and skill to our organization," said Nashville GM David Poile.

It looks like T.J. Oshie will never get a chance to play with former Minnesota State University Mankato star (now probably former St Louis Blue player) David Backus. According to TSN Backus has been signed to a nice offer sheet by the Vancover Canucks. I guess in a way it is surprising he signed for that much money.

Vancover 7/1/2008 -- The Vancouver Canucks are the first team out of the gate in the restricted free agent market signing forward David Backes to a three-year $7.5 million offer sheet.

The St. Louis Blues have seven days to match the offer or he goes to Vancouver. The Blues would then receive a second-round pick as compensation.

Backes, 24, was selected by Blues 62nd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

In 121 games with St. Louis, he has 23 goals and 54 points.

In the been there and done that category; former Wisconsin Star Curtis Joseph is going back to the Toronto Maple Leafs again.

SPORTSNET.CA -- Toronto Maple Leaf fans can expect at least one familiar face next season. Sources are telling Sportsnet that goaltender Curtis Joseph has agreed to a one-year deal with his former club.

Joseph spent four solid seasons with the Leafs, from 1998-2002 but left via free agency when he signed with the Detroit Red Wings.

In nine appearances with the Calgary Flames last season, Joseph went 3-2 as a back-up to Miikka Kiprusoff.

Former Badger Rene Bourque is headed to the Calgary Flames.

SPORTSNET.CA -- The Calgary Flames have acquired left winger Rene Bourque from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a conditional second round draft choice, the team announced Tuesday.

"Rene is a young player with size who will play in our top nine forwards," Flames general manager Darryl Sutter said. "He will be an important part of the remaking of our left side along with other young players already under contract."

Bourque, a native of Lac La Biche, AB, completed his third season with the Blackhawks in 07-08, recording 24 points from 10 goals and 14 assists. The 6’3", 213lb winger has notched 75 points in 183 career NHL games. Bourque was originally signed as a free agent by Chicago on July 29, 2004 following a four year career with the University of Wisconsin (WCHA). He played his first year of professional hockey in 04-05 with Chicago’s AHL affiliate in Norfolk where he established team highs in goals (33), assists (27) and points (60). For his efforts, Bourque was named to the AHL All-Star Game and was the recipient of the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s most outstanding rookie

The Edmonton Oilers have been really busy today as they made their third trade in past few days sending former Clarkson and Carolina star Eric Cole to the Oiles.

THE CANADIAN PRESS -- The Oilers acquired winger Erik Cole and centre Gilbert Brule in separate trades on Tuesday.

Cole arrives from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Joni Pitkanen. The 29-year-old Cole had spent his entire career in Carolina and helped that team to its seven-game Stanley Cup win over the Oilers in 2006.

Brule was drafted sixth overall by Columbus in 2005 and has yet to develop into a consistent NHL player. He comes to Edmonton in exchange for rugged winger Raffi Torres.

The Oilers have made three trades in a matter of days. They acquired defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky from Los Angeles on Sunday in exchange for forward Jarret Stoll and defenceman Matt Greene.

Cole had 22 goals and 51 points in 73 games for Carolina last season. He leaves the Hurricanes with the third-best franchise total in goals (129) and sixth-best total in points (280).

Brule is coming off a year in which he had just one goal and nine points in 61 games for the Jackets.

Torres had been with Edmonton since 2004 and was limited to just 32 games last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a game in December.

Pitkanen lasted just one season with the Oilers after coming over in a trade from Philadelphia last summer. He had eight goals and 26 points in 63 games.

Fomer UNH goaltender Ty Conklin is getting a new deal to play in Detroit.

DETROIT -- Also Tuesday, the Red Wings agreed to terms with goaltender Ty Conklin on a $750,000, one-year contract.

Former Saint Cloud State star and ex-Pittsburgh Penguin Ryan Malone got a huge deal with the Tampa Bay Lighting. Ryan Malone was acquired via trade with Pittsburgh - June 29; Signed a seven-year, $31.5 million contract on June 30

It's officical Wheeler signs with the B's

Joe Finley's hand shake dance partner has officially signed with the Boston Bruins today. The former 1st round draft choice of the Phoenix Coyotes Blake Wheeler joins former Gopher teammate Phil Kessel on the Bruins roster. It will be interesting to see if Wheeler can make the Bruins roster or if he will play in the Providence Bruins. It is going to be tough; the Bruins second year head coach Claude Julien has shown little patience for one dimensional players.

Boston, MA - Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced Tuesday that the club has signed forward Blake Wheeler to an entry-level contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Wheeler, a Plymouth, Minnesota native, has spent the last three seasons playing for the University of Minnesota. In his 2007-2008 season, he led the team in scoring with 15-20-35 totals in 44 games, and was named to the third team, All-WCHA. Originally drafted in the first round (5th overall) by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, he will forego his senior season to enter the NHL. He did not sign with the Coyotes and became an unrestricted free agent.

The 6-4, 215 pound 21-year-old leaves the Gophers with career 42-54-96 totals in 127 games. In the 2006-2007 postseason, he earned the Tom Mohr Playoff MVP Award after tallying four goals and one assist. As a freshman, he recorded 9-14-23 totals at Minnesota, skating alongside fellow Bruin Phil Kessel. In 2005-2006 he also skated for the USA in the IIHF World Junior Championships, where he played in all seven games and scored two goals against Finland.

Before attending the University of Minnesota, Wheeler spent one season in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers, and led the team in scoring by notching 19 goals and 28 assists in 58 games. .

Wheeler is expected to attend the Bruins Development Camp which will be held July 8 -July 12 at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington, MA.

Matt Greene traded to the Kings

Thanks to Boosh for the heads up, it appears that his favorite player former Fighting Sioux defenseman Matt Greene has been traded to tinsel town.

The Edmonton Oilers have acquired defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenceman Matt Greene and forward Jarret Stoll.

Oilers’ General Manager Kevin Lowe says, “Although it is tough to see good players and good people move on, we feel we’ve made a step towards improving our overall offense. Lubomir is a world-class defencemen who has been one of the premier offensive defencemen over the past five years.”

Sean Avery's day at the office

I found a few interesting stores on Rangers thug/though guy Sean Avery over on The Rangers Report. First off everything in this article makes me ask is this a hockey player or a fashion model want a be? Also, I must add it's like traffic accident you know you shouldn't look but you do anyways.

Until there is more definitive news on Sean Avery’s hockey career—he does still play hockey, doesn’t he?—or unless he lacerates his spleen again, is linked to more call girls, or becomes engaged to one of the Bush sisters, this will be my last Sean Avery post for some time.

But for those of you who can’t get enough Avery, and that would seem to include Sean Avery himself, (check out this video)

What did I learn from the video? It does appear that Sean Avery has recovered from the spleen injury. I also found out that I actually have something in common with Sean Avery; I have the same pair of the Adidas Bounce shoes that Avery does. I might add that after six and a half months they are already starting to fall apart.
Men's Vogue picture
It would appear that Sean Avery is a fashion designer trapped in hockey goon's body. I mean check out this post:

I don't watch sports. I don't read about sports. Generally, other than spending a lot of time in dressing rooms both at home and on the road, I don't hang out with other athletes. Over breakfast in hotels when the Rangers are on the road, I read the Style section in The New York Times. Some people question whether I'm straight; others give me compliments. Some women find it a turn-on. My teammates are very supportive and cool about my interest in fashion — sometimes they even ask for my advice on what to wear. But I'd be lying to you if I said that I don't take some verbal abuse from opposing players for the clothes I wear, or for my interest in something — "fashion" — that I think sounds a little frightening to narrow-minded blockheads. I also realize that this isn't necessarily their fault — they think it's what they're supposed to think.

Earlier this year — just before the playoffs, actually — I wrote to the editor in chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, and expressed my desire to intern for the magazine once my team won the Stanley Cup. After just a couple of days I got the answer I was looking for.

But first, of course, the playoffs: The Rangers had a great first round against the Devils in mid-April. (I caused my usual controversy with what I thought was an innovative technique to distract the Devils' goalie, Martin Brodeur; apparently the NHL thought this was too innovative, and created a new rule to prevent players from blocking or interfering with a goalie — some call it the "Sean Avery Rule" — to make sure it never happens again.) In the second round we played a strong Pittsburgh Penguins team. In the first period of the third game of the series, I lacerated my spleen. I finished the game, but pretty soon internal bleeding and a few other bad things led to a rough week. The Rangers lost the series against the Penguins, and all of a sudden I had some time off. This is where the fun starts.